KAI QKC MBKR RACVNoosaMCU

KOALA ACTION INC.
Postal Address: 52 Poole Road
GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS   QLD   4518
ABN: 92 282 853 793
http://koalaactioninc.org

TO:	Chief Executive Officer Noosa Council
PO Box 141 Tewantin QLD 4565
By Email: [email protected]
Attention: Kerri Coyle, Manager Development Assessment

RE:	Royal Australian Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited Reference Number 18006
142 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads – Lot number 3, SP126203
Development Permit 2006/1395, Date Issued 15 July 2008

Minor Changes to a Development Approval for a Material Change of Use for a Multiple Dwelling (10 Units) at 142 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads.  The amendment and addition of conditions of approval relates to koala movement, stormwater and bushfire management.

I have been asked by members of Queensland Koala Crusaders Inc. (QKC), Koala Action Inc. (KAI) and Moreton Bay Koala Rescue Inc. (MBKR) to detail our concerns about the ongoing and escalating loss of koala habitat negatively impacting on food, shelter and dispersal opportunities for the residential koala population.

QKC, KAI and MBKR are volunteer not for profit incorporated associations designated as charities with a primary focus on protecting and conserving Queensland’s koala population; as well as retaining, conserving, replanting and rehabilitating koala habitat.  The combined membership of these groups is around 300 individuals.

The background of the members of QKC, KAI and MBKR is varied; some members raise orphaned koala joeys from their homes whilst others are involved in the rescue and/or care of sick and injured adult koalas as well as other wildlife.   Free koala education and awareness presentations are provided to the community by all these groups.  In addition, members are involved in the replanting of koala food trees and other natives in parks, reserves and open spaces as well as in the rehabilitation of secondary habitat to increase its carrying capacity for koalas and other native wildlife.

The main objective of the above associations is to ensure the sustainability of the koala population across their natural range throughout Queensland.  The koala is this state’s faunal emblem and is an Australian animal icon that is considered “a flagship” species.  Accordingly, the koala’s demise will herald the decline of many other wildlife species exploiting the same environment.  By retaining the habitat for koalas, we are in fact protecting the many other natives species that utilise the same ecosystem.

Unfortunately, the ongoing clearing and fragmenting of koala habitat has resulted in the reclassification of this unique marsupial on a Federal level from “common” to “vulnerable”. It is now considered “threatened” across its natural range in this state.  Any impact on koalas or the habitat upon which they depend is a matter of local, state and a ‘Matter of National Environmental Significance’.

QKC, KAI and MBKR point out that development of any sort has a negative impact on koalas and other native wildlife.  It reduces the amount of habitat available to them for food, shelter and dispersal opportunities, ultimately affecting the sustainability of the population. Rescuers, rehabilitators and carers are struggling against an overwhelming tide of injuries, illnesses and deaths to koalas on a daily basis. This cannot go on.

The koala population within and around the Noosa area has been suffering deaths by one thousand cuts for many years;  from habitat being cleared and/or fragmented; from motor vehicle strikes and from attacks by domestic, feral and wild dogs.  The attrition rate has been high.  Yet in spite of the daily perils facing this unique marsupial, some have managed to survive.  It is this population that must be protected and conserved at all costs.

QKC, KAI and MBKR support the efforts of koala expert, Dr Bill Ellis to adjust the location of the structures and roads and acknowledge that under the existing plan of approval, 38 E. robusta trees (primary koala food trees) would have been lost if that plan was developed. As a result of some adjustments to the building footprints and roads reducing the loss of koala trees by more than 50%, to a total of 18 would be considered an improvement.

However, reducing the loss does not mean stopping i.e. preventing the negative impacts on the habitat or the animals themselves.  Historic koala hospital admissions data show us efforts made in the past were not enough and they will not be enough now.  Evidence based science posits that when threats are clear and evident, ‘the precautionary principle’ must come into play.  Members would prefer that all koala habitat trees be retained and development applications adjusted accordingly.

Koala/environmental stake holders and the community are justifiably worried.  Many have spoken to Noosa Council (NC) and their Councillors directly about their concerns.   It is NC responsibility and duty to ensure that the proposed action will result in no net loss to koalas or the habitat upon with they depend.  QKC, KAI and MBKR concur and fully support Council’s efforts to facilitate the most positive outcome for koalas and their habitat.

The proposed action will remove koala food trees causing a significant loss of food trees and reducing movement opportunities around the development area which is unacceptable.  These trees form part of the home ranges of resident koalas and are crucial stepping stones for safe movement and dispersal between patches of habitat.  Each and every mature tree or clumps of trees are of inestimable value and must be retained.  Replanting tubestock elsewhere will not be of use to koalas for many years.  What are they to do in the interim?

QKC, KAI and MBKR recognise that although replanted trees may be of little value for years, koalas have been seen on several occasions using replanted food trees in offset areas when the trees are only 2-3 years old.  They obviously don’t have the same value as a 35m high tree but they still do have some value.  Members do applaud and welcome the removal of exotic tree and/or weed species to ensure an optimal environmental outcome for all native wildlife.

QKC, KAI and MBK propose that any offset planting and/or habitat planting on site take place immediately after approval, if it is given.  That must be the first task undertaken.  It makes absolutely no sense to wait until the development has nearly finished, then send in landscapers and gardeners to plant out the relevant areas when the koalas that were there have already been displaced.  Developments can take a year or longer to complete.  So if the replanting is implemented before any other stages of the development, the planted areas might actually have some value to koalas and other fauna by the time the development is well underway or nearly completed.

The koala is already in decline.  Accordingly every effort must be made to retain, rehabilitate and replant koala habitat.  In addition, every effort must be made to ameliorate the dangers

of being struck by motor vehicles, attacked by domestic/wild or feral dogs as well as reduce the impact of disease processes.

Any and all actions taken that modify, destroy, remove, isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat for food, shelter or dispersal opportunities will have a negative impact on the already challenged residential koala population.  To suggest otherwise is disingenuous, a greater effort is required to ensure these amendments will have no net negative impact on koalas or the habitat upon which they depend.

If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at the email address [email protected] or ring me on 0407 101 837.

With thanks Vanda (aka Wanda) Grabowski
Secretary, Queensland Koala Crusaders Inc.
President/Secretary, Koala Action Inc.
Representative, Moreton Bay Koala Rescue Inc.

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